Burner Assembly And Systems Incorporating A Burner Assembly

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed that include providing a cooking system that comprises a burner assembly and a heat exchanger, the burner assembly having a high velocity burner configured to provide the necessary high velocity, volumetric flowrate through the heat exchanger, and the burner assembly also having a low velocity burner configured to significantly reduce and/or substantially eliminate “lift off” that could result from operation of only the high velocity burner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/388,796, filed Dec. 22, 2016, and entitled“Burner Assembly and Heat Exchanger,” which further claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/271,834 filed on Dec. 28,2015 and entitled “Burner Assembly and Heat Exchanger,” the disclosuresof each being hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Thepresent application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/388,941, filed Dec. 22, 2016, and entitled“Burner Assembly and Heat Exchanger,” which further claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/271,838 filed on Dec. 28,2015 and entitled “Burner Assembly and Heat Exchanger,” the disclosuresof each being hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Food service equipment often includes heat generation equipment and/orheat transfer equipment to produce and/or transfer heat to a cookingmedium contained in a cooking vessel for cooking consumables prior topackaging. Such heat generation equipment and/or heat transfer equipmentoften includes a burner configured to combust an air/fuel mixture toproduce heat and a heat exchanger to transfer the heat produced by theburner to the cooking medium. Traditional food service burners and/orheat exchangers may often be inefficient at transferring heat to thecooking medium and/or require frequent monitoring and/or replacement ofthe cooking medium.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a burner including abody that defines a first cavity, and a burner coupled to the body thatis configured to combust an air/fuel mixture. The burner has a centralaxis and includes a first sub-burner in fluid communication with thefirst cavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at afirst flowrate, and a second sub-burner in fluid communication with thefirst cavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at asecond flowrate. The second flowrate is lower than the first flowrate.The burner assembly also includes an igniter configured to ignite theair/fuel mixture in each of the first sub-burner and the secondsub-burner. In some embodiments, the second sub-burner iscircumferentially disposed about the first sub-burner with respect tothe central axis. In some embodiments, the burner further includes acombustion chamber in fluid communication with each of the firstsub-burner and the second sub-burner. In some embodiments, the firstsub-burner includes a plurality of axially extending first bores influid communication with each of the first cavity and the combustionchamber, and the second sub-burner includes a plurality of radiallyextending second bores in fluid communication with each of the firstcavity and the combustion chamber. In some embodiments, the body furtherincludes an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the first cavityextends from the upstream end, and the burner extends from the firstcavity to the downstream end. In some embodiments, the burner includes aburner bore extending through the body from the downstream end to thefirst cavity, and an insert disposed within the burner bore, wherein theinsert includes each of the plurality of first bores and the pluralityof second bores. In an embodiment, the combustion chamber is defined bythe burner bore, between the insert and the downstream end. In someembodiments, the insert also comprises a second cavity that is in fluidcommunication with each of the plurality of first bores, the pluralityof second bores, and the first cavity, wherein each of the plurality offirst bores has a smaller diameter than the second cavity.

Other embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a burner assemblyincluding a body that defines a first cavity, and a plurality of burnerscoupled to the body, each burner being configured to combust an air/fuelmixture. Each burner has a central axis and includes a first sub-burnerin fluid communication with the first cavity that is configured tocombust the air/fuel mixture at a first flowrate, and a secondsub-burner in fluid communication with the first cavity that isconfigured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a second flowrate. Thesecond flowrate is lower than the first flowrate. The burner assemblyalso includes an igniter configured to ignite the air/fuel mixture inthe first sub-burner and the second sub-burner in each of the pluralityof burners. In some embodiments, each burner further includes acombustion chamber in communication with each of the first sub-burnerand the second sub-burner. In some embodiments the burner assemblyfurther includes a plurality of slots, wherein the combustion chamber ofeach of the burners is in fluid communication with the combustionchambers of each of the other burners through the plurality of slots. Insome embodiments, the central axis of each of the plurality of burnersis parallel to the central axis of each of the other burners, and eachof the slots extend radially with respect to the central axis of atleast one of the burners. In some embodiments, for each burner thesecond sub-burner is circumferentially disposed about the firstsub-burner with respect to the central axis. In some embodiments thefirst sub-burner comprises a plurality of axially extending first boresin fluid communication with the first cavity, and the second sub-burnerof each burner comprises a plurality of radially extending second boresin communication with the first cavity. In some embodiments, the bodyfurther includes an upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the firstcavity extends from the upstream end, and each of the plurality ofburners extends from the first cavity to the downstream end. In someembodiments each of the plurality of burners includes a burner boreextending through the body from the downstream end to the first cavity,and an insert disposed within the burner bore, wherein the insertcomprises each of the plurality of first bores and the plurality ofsecond bores, and a second cavity, the second cavity is in fluidcommunication with the plurality of first bores, the plurality of secondbores, and the first cavity, and each of the plurality of first boreshas a smaller diameter than the second cavity.

Still other embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a cookingsystem including a first burner assembly comprising a body and a burnercoupled to the body, the burner having a central axis and beingconfigured to combust a first air/fuel mixture. The burner includes afirst sub-burner in fluid communication with a first cavity defined bythe body and configured to combust the first air/fuel mixture at a firstflowrate, and a second sub-burner in fluid communication with the firstcavity that is configured to combust the first air/fuel mixture at asecond flowrate, the second flowrate being lower than the firstflowrate. In addition, the cooking system includes a first heatexchanger comprising a fluid duct that is configured to receive thecombusted air/fuel mixture from the first sub-burner and the secondsub-burner. In some embodiments, the cooking system also includes acooking vessel configured to receive a cooking fluid and a food item toperform a cooking reaction, wherein the first heat exchanger isconfigured to provide the cooking fluid to the cooking vessel, and athermal oxidizer fluidly coupled to the cooking vessel, the thermaloxidizer is configured to receive an exhaust emitted from the cookingreaction, and the thermal oxidizer comprises a second burner assemblythat is configured to combust a second air/fuel mixture to increase atemperature of the exhaust. The second burner assembly includes a secondbody and a second burner coupled to the second body, the second burnerhaving a central axis and being configured to combust a second air/fuelmixture, wherein the second burner further includes third sub-burner influid communication with a second cavity defined by the second body andconfigured to combust the second air/fuel mixture at a third flowrateand a fourth sub-burner in fluid communication with the second cavitythat is configured to combust the second air/fuel mixture at a fourthflowrate, the fourth flowrate being lower than the first flowrate. Insome embodiment, the cooking system also includes a second heatexchanger comprising a fluid duct that is configured to receive theexhaust from the thermal oxidizer. In some embodiments, the second heatexchanger is configured to increase the temperature of the cooking fluidto a first temperature and emit the cooking fluid to the first heatexchanger, and first heat exchanger is configured to increase thetemperature of the cooking fluid from the first temperature to a secondtemperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following briefdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings anddetailed description:

FIG. 1 is an oblique side view showing a partial cross-section of aburner assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an oblique front view showing the partial cross-section of theburner assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a detailed oblique front view of the partial cross-section ofthe burner assembly of FIGS. 1-2 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 4 is an oblique bottom view showing the partial cross-section ofthe burner assembly of FIGS. 1-3 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5 is an oblique cross-sectional right side view showing the partialcross-section of the burner assembly of FIGS. 1-4 according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of a burner assembly according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the burner assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7according to according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the burner assembly of FIGS. 6-8taken along section A-A in FIG. 8 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a portion of theburner assembly of FIGS. 6-9 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 11 is an oblique side view of a heat exchanger according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is an oblique cross-sectional side view of the heat exchanger ofFIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an oblique cross-sectional end view of the heat exchanger ofFIGS. 11-13 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a cooking system according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a cooking system according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 16 is an oblique side view of a heat exchanger according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 17 is an oblique cross-sectional side view of the heat exchanger ofFIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a schematic top view of a cooking system according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a schematic side view of the cooking system of FIG. 18according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a schematic top view of a cooking system according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a cooking system according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a thermal oxidizer for use within thecooking system of FIG. 21 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some cases, it may be desirable to provide a cooking system with aburner assembly having a high velocity burner to force combusted air andfuel through a heat exchanger and a low velocity burner to maintain acontinuous combustion process and prevent so-called “lift off” where aflame and/or combustion process may be extinguished by a high velocitycombustion process that exceeds the ignition capabilities of the burner.For example, a heat exchanger may comprise a plurality ofcompactly-arranged tubes comprising a plurality of fluid circuits.Alternatively, a heat exchanger may be submerged in a cooking vessel andcomprise a plurality of compactly-arranged, interstitially-spacedvertical and horizontal tubes that are open to the cooking vessel toallow ingress and egress of a cooking fluid. In either of these exampleheat exchangers, resistance to fluid flow through a fluid duct of theheat exchanger may be excessive, such that traditional burners wouldfail to pass combusted air and fuel through the heat exchanger and wouldsuffer from “lift off” if the velocity and/or flowrate of combustion wasincreased.

Accordingly, embodiments of cooking systems are disclosed herein thatcomprise one or more burner assemblies with a high velocity burner (orsub-burner) configured to provide the necessary high velocity flowratethrough the tubes of a heat exchanger (e.g., whether the tubes arearranged in multiple fluid circuits of compactly-arranged tubes disposedperpendicularly and interstitially to one another, or whether the tubescomprise compactly-arranged and interstitially-spaced vertical andhorizontal tubes that are open to the cooking vessel to allow ingressand egress of a cooking fluid). In addition, the burner assemblies alsoinclude a low velocity burner (or sub-burner) configured tosignificantly reduce and/or substantially eliminate “lift off” thatcould result from operation of only the high velocity burner.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, various views of a burner assembly 100 areshown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The burner assembly100 generally comprises a body 102, a manifold 110, a plurality ofrunners 112 joining the body 102 to the manifold 110, a plurality offirst burners 126, a plurality of second burners 138, a ribbon burner146, and a plurality of deflectors 122. The body 102 comprises a lowerportion 104 joined to an upper portion 106. In some embodiments, thelower portion 104 may be bolted to the upper portion 106 using fasteners124 disposed through holes in the lower portion 104 and threaded intothe upper portion 106. In some embodiments, a gasket 108 may be disposedbetween the lower portion 104 and the upper portion 106 of the body 102to prevent leakage and/or seepage of any fluid flowing within the cavity105 from escaping between the lower portion 104 and the upper portion106. When assembled, the lower portion 104 and the upper portion 106generally form a cavity 105 through which fuel and/or an air/fuelmixture may flow.

The burner assembly 100 also comprises a manifold 110 configured todeliver the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture into the cavity 105 througha plurality of parallel runners 112. Each runner 112 comprises a lowerthreaded portion 114, an upper threaded portion 116, and a butt joint118 that joins the lower threaded portion 114 to the upper threadedportion 116. In some embodiments, it will be appreciated that eachrunner 112 may be a solid piece and comprise the lower threaded portion114 and the upper threaded portion 116 joined by the butt joint 118. Thelower threaded portion 114 may generally be threaded into and extendinto an inner opening of the manifold 110, such that fuel and/or anair/fuel mixture may flow from an internal volume of the manifold 110through an internal volume of the lower threaded portion 114 and into aninternal volume of the butt joint 118. The upper threaded portion 116may generally be threaded into the lower portion 104 of the body 102 andextend into the cavity 105 of the body 102. Accordingly, an internalvolume of the upper threaded portion 116 may receive fuel and/or anair/fuel mixture from the internal volume of the butt joint 118. It willbe appreciated that each runner 112 thus comprises a fluid flow paththat extends through internal volumes of the lower threaded portion 114,the butt joint 118, and the upper threaded portion 116. Furthermore, theupper threaded portion 116 comprises a plurality of fuel delivery holes120 that may distribute the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture receivedfrom the manifold 110 evenly throughout the cavity 105. Additionally, insome embodiments, an upper distal end of the upper threaded portion 116may be closed and/or substantially abut a substantially flat surface ofthe upper portion 106 of the body 102 so that the fuel and/or theair/fuel mixture that passes through the runner 112 only escapes theupper threaded portion 116 through the fuel delivery holes 120.

The burner assembly 100 comprises a plurality of first burners 126arranged adjacently along a length of the upper portion 106 of burnerassembly 100. Additionally, the plurality of first burners 126 arearranged along a centerline of the upper portion 106 of the body 102,such that the centerline of the body 102 intersects a center axis ofeach first burner 126. Each first burner 126 comprises acylindrically-shaped first bore 128 configured to receive the fueland/or the air/fuel mixture from the cavity 105. The first bore 128 alsocomprises a plurality of holes 132 disposed about the first bore 128that are configured to allow the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture toflow from the first bore 128 to a combustion chamber 134 that is formedby a cylindrically-shaped third bore 130. Each first burner 126 alsocomprises a cylindrically-shaped second bore 129 that is axially alignedwith and disposed downstream from the first bore 128 with respect to theflow of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the burner assembly100 and that comprises a diameter that is smaller than the diameter ofthe first bore 128. The second bore 129 may also receive the fuel and/orthe air/fuel mixture from the first bore 128. In some embodiments, thesmaller diameter of the second bore 129 may be sized to control apressure drop through the second bore 129 and/or the plurality of holes132 disposed about the first bore 128.

Accordingly, the first burner 126 may define a first flow path 131 fromthe cavity 105 through the first bore 128 and the second bore 129 intothe combustion chamber 134 and further define a plurality of second flowpaths 133 from the cavity 105 through the first bore 128, through theplurality of holes 132, and into the combustion chamber 134.Furthermore, as will be discussed herein in further detail, to ignitethe fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture in the first burner 126, each firstburner 126 also comprises a groove 136 disposed in the third bore 130that forms the cylindrically-shaped combustion chamber 134 on each of anopposing left side and right side of the combustion chamber 134 so thatfuel through the first flow path 131 and the plurality of second flowpaths 133 of the first burner 126 may be ignited by the ribbon burner146. Thus, the first burner 126 may further define a first sub-burner125 in fluid communication with the cavity 105 via the first flow path131, and a second sub-burner 127 in fluid communication with the cavity105 via the second flow paths 133. The second sub-burner 127 extendscircumferentially about the first sub-burner 125 with respect to acentral axis of burner 126 (not shown).

In some embodiments, the flowrate, velocity, and/or volume of the fueland/or the air/fuel mixture through the first flow path 131 of the firstburner 126 may be greater than the flowrate, volume, and/or volume ofthe fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of secondflow paths 133 through the first burner 126. In particular, withoutbeing limited to any particular theory, the radial flow of fluids alongsecond flowpaths 133 causes impact of the fluids with the inner walls ofthird bore 130, thereby reducing the kinetic energy for these fluidflows and decreasing their velocity as compared to the fluids flowingthrough first flow path 131. As a result, the first sub-burner 125(including flow path 131) may be referred to herein as a “high velocitysub-burner” and second sub-burner 127 (including flow path 133) may bereferred to herein as a “low velocity sub-burner”. However, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, the flowrate and/or volume of thefuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the first flow path 131 of thefirst burner 126 (i.e., through the first sub-burner 125 and the secondsub-burner 127) may be equal to or less than the flowrate and/or volumeof the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of secondflow paths 133 through the first burner 126. This adjustment of therelative velocities of flow paths 131, 133 may be accomplished by, forexample, adjusting the sizes (e.g., diameters) of the first bore 128 andholes 132.

The burner assembly 100 also comprises a plurality of second burners 138disposed on each of a left side and a right side of the upper portion106 of the body 102 of burner assembly 100. Each second burner 138 maygenerally be configured as a low flow-rate ribbon burner 146 thatcomprises a plurality of feeder holes 140, a cavity 142, and a pluralityof upper holes 144. The feeder holes 140 are configured to receive thefuel and/or the air/fuel mixture from the cavity 105 and allow the fueland/or the air/fuel mixture to flow into a cavity 142 that houses theribbon burner 146. The second burner 138 also comprises a plurality ofupper holes 144 that are disposed on the left and right sides of thecavity 142 and the ribbon burner 146. The upper holes 144 receive fueland/or the air/fuel mixture from the cavity 142. Accordingly, the secondburner 138 may define a first flowpath 141 from the cavity 105 through aplurality of feeder holes 140, into the cavity 142, and through aplurality of upper holes 144. Furthermore, as will be discussed hereinin further detail, the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture flowing throughthe upper holes 144 may be ignited by the ribbon burner 146.

Additionally, the ribbon burner 146 comprises a plurality of smallperforations 148 that may also allow fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture topass through a plurality of second flowpaths 143 from the cavity 142through the perforations 148, where they may be ignited by the ribbonburner 146. In some embodiments, the flowrate and/or volume of the fueland/or the air/fuel mixture through the first flowpath 141 of the secondburner 138 may be greater than the flowrate and/or volume of the fueland/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of second flowpaths143 through the second burner 138. However, in other embodiments, theflowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture throughthe first flowpath 141 of the second burner 138 may be equal to or lessthan the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixturethrough the plurality of second flowpaths 143 through the second burner138. Additionally, in some embodiments, the combined flowrate and/orvolume of the fuel and/or the air/fuel mixture through a first burner126 may be greater than the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/orthe air/fuel mixture through a second burner 138. However, inalternative embodiments, the combined flowrate and/or volume of the fueland/or the air/fuel mixture through a first burner 126 may be equal toor less than the flowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or the air/fuelmixture through a second burner 138.

In some embodiments, the burner assembly 100 may comprise one or moreinfrared burners. Accordingly, the first burner 126, the second burner138, and/or the ribbon burner 146 may be configured as an infraredburner. Accordingly, first burner 126, the second burner 138, and/or theribbon burner 146 may comprise additional components, including but notlimited to, ceramic components and/or other components necessary toconfigure and/or operate the first burner 126, the second burner 138,and/or the ribbon burner 146 as an infrared burner. However, in someembodiments, the first burner 126, the second burner 138, and/or theribbon burner 146 may alternatively be configured as any other suitableburner.

In operation, the burner assembly 100 is configured to combust fueland/or an air/fuel mixture through a plurality of first burners 126 anda plurality of second burners 138. In some embodiments, the burnerassembly 100 may also comprise a separate igniter and/or a plurality ofigniters configured to ignite the air/fuel mixture in each of the firstburners 126 and the second burners 138. In this embodiment, the combinedflowrate and/or volume of the fuel and/or air/fuel mixture through thefirst burners 126 is greater than the flowrate and/or volume of the fueland/or the air/fuel mixture through the plurality of second burners 138.Accordingly, the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combustedair/fuel mixture through the first burners 126 is higher than thevelocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixturethrough the second burners 138.

Because the velocity of the combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuelmixture through the first burners 126 exits the first burners 126 atsuch a high velocity, traditional burners may experience so-called “liftoff” where the flame is extinguished due to the high velocity. As such,the lower velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuelmixture exiting the second burners 138 may prevent this “lift off” bycontinuously burning fuel at a lower flowrate and/or delivering acombusted air/fuel mixture at the lower velocity. Additionally, theburner assembly 100 also comprises a deflector 122 on each of a leftside and a right side of the upper portion 106 of the body 102 of burnerassembly 100 that is secured to the upper portion 106 of the body 102 bya plurality of fasteners 124. The deflectors 122 may be angled towards acenter of the upper portion 106 and extend over the second burners 138in order to deflect the combusted air/fuel mixture exiting the secondburners 138 towards the combusted air/fuel mixture exiting the firstburners 126. Accordingly, the deflectors 122 may also aid in preventing“lift off” by directing the lower velocity combusted air/fuel mixtureexiting the second burners 138 towards the higher velocity combustedair/fuel mixture exiting the first burners 126.

Further, within the first burner 126 itself, the velocity of thecombusted fuel and/or the fuel mixture through the first sub-burner 125may be such that the first sub-burner 125 may also experience “liftoff.” However, the relatively slower velocity of the combusted fluidflow from second sub-burner 127 may prevent this “lift off” of the firstsub-burner 125 by continuously burning fuel at a lower flow rate and/ordelivering combusted fuel or fuel/air mixture at a lower velocity.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, a pair of perspective views and a back viewof a burner assembly 200 is shown according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. Burner assembly 200 comprises a generally cylindrical body211 that includes a central axis 205, a first or upstream end 200 a, asecond or downstream end 200 b opposite upstream end 200 a, and aradially outer surface 200 c extending axially between ends 200 a, 200b. Radially outer surface 200 c further includes a first upstreamcylindrical surface 207 extending from upstream end 200 a, a second ordownstream cylindrical surface 201 extending axially from downstream end200 b, and a frustoconical surface 203 between surfaces 201, 207. Inthis embodiment, downstream cylindrical surface 201 has a largerdiameter about axis 205 than upstream cylindrical surface 207 such thatfrustoconical surface 203 extends radially outward moving axially fromupstream cylindrical surface 207 to downstream cylindrical surface 201.A plurality of mounting bores 204 extend axially from frustoconicalsurface 203 to downstream end 200 b that are evenly circumferentiallyspaced about axis 205. As will be described in more detail below,mounting bores 204 are configured to receive bolts, screws, rivets, orother suitable mounting members to secure burner assembly 200 to anothermember or structure (e.g., a heat exchanger, vessel, etc.). In addition,a plurality of mounting bores 209 also extend into body 211 fromupstream end 200 a. Mounting bores 209 may be used to couple piping orother supply conduits to burner assembly 200 (e.g., such as to supplyfuel or a fuel air mixture to burner assembly 200).

Body 211 of burner assembly 200 also includes a cylindrical recess orcavity 202 extending axially from upstream end 200 a and a plurality ofburners 220 extending axially from cavity 202 to downstream end 200 b.As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, each burner 220 has a central or longitudinalaxis 225 that extends parallel to axis 205 of burner assembly 200. Inthis embodiment, burner assembly 200 includes a total of seven burners220 with one of the burners (identified as burner 220′) coaxiallyaligned with burner assembly 200 and the remaining six burners 220evenly circumferentially spaced about axis 205. In particular, in thisembodiment, axis 225 of central burner 220′ is aligned with axis 205 ofburner assembly 200, and the axes 225 of the remaining burners 220 areall parallel to and radially offset from axis 205 of burner assembly200. It should be appreciated that generic references to burners 220 ismeant to encompass all of the burners 220 on burner assembly 200(including central burner 220′).

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, cross-sectional views of burnerassembly 200 and central burner 220′ are shown. It should be appreciatedthat the details described below for burner 220′ are also applicable todescribe the features of the other burners 220, except that axis 225 ofthe remaining burners 220 are not aligned with axis 205 as previouslydescribed above. Thus, a detailed description of the other burners 220is omitted herein in the interest of brevity.

In this embodiment, burner 220′ comprises a bore 222 (bore 222 may bereferred to herein as a “burner bore 222”) extending axially fromdownstream end 200 b of body 211 to cavity 202 and an insert 230disposed within bore 222. Insert 230 is coaxially aligned with axis 225and includes a first or upstream end 230 a, a second or downstream end230 b opposite upstream end 230 a, a recess or cavity 232 extendingaxially from upstream end 230 a, a plurality of first bores 234extending axially from cavity 232 to downstream end 230 b, and aplurality of second bores 236 extending radially from cavity 232. Asbest shown in FIG. 10, insert 230 is disposed within bore 222 such thatupstream end 230 a engages or abuts with a radially extending annularshoulder 224 within bore 222 such that cavity 232 is in communicationwith cavity 202 of body 211. In addition, bore 222 and upstream end 200b of burner assembly 200 are in communication with cavity 232 (and thusalso cavity 202) through each of the plurality of first bores 234 andthe plurality of second bores 236.

Each burner 220′ defines a plurality of first flow paths 239 extendingfrom cavity 232, axially through bores 234 and into bore 222 towarddownstream end 200 b, and a plurality of second flow paths 237 extendingfrom cavity 232 radially through bores 236 and then axially through bore222 toward downstream end 200 b. As will be described in more detailbelow, bore 222 (or the portion of bore 222 that is not occupied byinsert 230) forms a combustion chamber 226 that receives fuel (or anair/fuel mixture) from both the first flow paths 239 and the second flowpaths 237 that may be ignited therein. However, because the fuel (orair/fuel mixture) flowing through the plurality of second flow paths 237first flows radially from cavity 232 into bore 222 (or combustionchamber 226), the fluids flowing along second flow paths 237 flow at aslower velocity (and thus at a lower flow rate) than the fluids flowingalong plurality of first flow paths 239. In other words, without beinglimited to any particular theory, the radial flow of fluids along secondflow paths 237 causes impact of the fluids with the inner wall of bore222, thereby reducing the kinetic energy for these fluid flows anddecreasing their velocity as compared to the fluids flowing axiallythrough first flow paths 239. Also, the relatively smaller diameter ofthe bores 234 compared with cavity 232 causes an increase in velocity ofthe fluids flowing along flow paths 239 upon entering bores 234. As aresult, burner 220′ defines a first sub-burner 240 (or high velocityburner) fed by flow paths 239, and a second sub-burner 241 (or lowvelocity burner) fed by flow paths 237 (see FIG. 10). In particular, inthis embodiment, second sub-burner 241 is annularly or circumferentiallydisposed about first sub-burner 240 with respect to axis 225.

In addition, the increased velocity through flow paths 239 due to theconstrictions created within the relatively smaller diameter first bores234 also allows for higher velocities of combusted fuel (or air/fuelmixture) through the first sub-burner 240 from relatively smaller flowrates of fuel (or fuel/air mixture) through cavity 202. This may furtherenhance the ability of burner assembly 200 to deliver a flow ofcombusted fluids at a sufficiently high velocity to overcome any backpressure imposed by the internal structure of an associated heatexchanger (e.g., heat exchangers 300, 500 described below).

Referring back now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of slots 210 extendthrough burner assembly 200 to place the combustion chambers 226 ofadjacently disposed burners 220 in fluid communication with one another.As a result, in this embodiment, the combustion chambers 226 of all ofthe burners 220 on burner assembly 200 are in fluid communication withone another either directly or indirectly via the slots 210. Further, apair of spark plugs 208 (or other suitable igniter member) are insertedpartially into the combustion chambers 226 of two of the burners 220(however, more or less than two spark plugs 208 may be used in otherembodiments) through corresponding angled bores 206 extending fromfrustoconical surface 203. As a result, spark plugs 208 may be utilizedto ignite fuel (or air/fuel mixture) disposed within combustion chambers226 of burners 220.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, and 10, in operation, burner assembly 200is configured to combust fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture through theplurality of burners 220. Initial combustion (or ignition) of the fueland/or air/fuel mixture within burners 220 is achieved via one or bothof the spark plugs 208, and this initial combustion subsequently spreadsto the other burners 220 via slots 210. Within each burner 220, the fueland/or fuel mixture enters chamber 226 via sub-burners 240, 241 andignites therein. In at least some operations, the velocity of thecombusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the first-subburners 240 is such that they may experience so-called “lift off” wherethe flame is extinguished due to the high velocity. However, the lowervelocity of the combusted fuel and/or fuel/air mixture exiting secondsub-burners 241 (which have a slower flow rate due to the radiallydirected bores 236 as previously described) may prevent this “lift off”by continuously burning fuel at a lower flowrate and/or delivering acombusted air/fuel mixture at a lower velocity. In addition, if any ofthe burners 220 should experience a total loss of combustion (e.g., dueto “lift-off,” temporary lack of fuel, or another reason), then thefluid communication between the burners 220 via slots 210 may allow forre-ignition from an adjacent burner 220 that is still combusting fueltherein.

Additionally, while not shown specifically in FIGS. 6-10, additionaladjacent burners (e.g., ribbon burners 146 in FIG. 2) or deflectors(e.g., deflectors 122 in FIG. 2) may also be incorporated onto oradjacent to burner assembly 200 in the same or a similar manner to thatdescribed above for burner assembly 100, so that additional reliabilitymay be achieved during operations with burner assembly 200. Further, asdescribed above for burner assembly 100, in some embodiments, burnerassembly 200 may comprise one or more infrared burners. Accordingly, theburners 220 (including sub-burners 240, 241) and/or the possibleadditional adjacent burners discussed above may comprise additionalcomponents including but not limited to, ceramic components and/or othercomponents necessary to configured and/or operate burners 220 (or theadditional adjacent burners) as infrared burners.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, an oblique side view, an obliquecross-sectional side view, and an oblique end view of a heat exchanger300 are shown, respectively, according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. The heat exchanger 300 comprises a first fluid circuit 301having a first inlet 302, a plurality of top headers 304, a plurality ofdownward tubes 306, a plurality of bottom headers 308, a plurality ofupward tubes 310, and a first outlet 212. The first inlet 302 isconnected in fluid communication with a first top header 304′ and isconfigured to receive a fluid there through and allow the fluid to enterthe first top header 304′. The first top header 304′ is connected influid communication with a first set of downward tubes 306, which isconnected in fluid communication with a bottom header 308. Fluid fromthe first top header 304′ may flow through the first set of downwardtubes 306 into a bottom header 308. The bottom header 308 may also beconnected in fluid communication with a set of upward tubes 310 that maycarry fluid from the bottom header 308 through the upward tubes 310 andinto another top header 304. Accordingly, this pattern may continuealong the length of the heat exchanger 300, such that each top header304 transfers fluid through a set of downward tubes 306 into a bottomheader 308 and subsequently from the bottom header 308 through a set ofupward tubes 310 into an adjacently downstream located top header 304.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that downward tubes 306 may beassociated with carrying a fluid from a top header 304 in a downwarddirection towards and into a bottom header 308, and upward tubes 310 maybe associated with carrying a fluid from a bottom header 308 in anupward direction towards and into a top header 304. This pattern maycontinue along the length of the heat exchanger 300 until a last set ofdownward tubes 306 carries fluid through into a final bottom header 308′and out of the first outlet 312. Accordingly, the first fluid circuit301 comprises passing fluid from the first inlet 302 into the first topheader 304′ through a repetitive serpentine series of downward tubes306, a bottom header 308, a set of upward tubes 310, and a top header304 until passing through a final set of downward tubes 306 into thefinal bottom header 308′ and exiting the heat exchanger 300 through thefirst outlet 312. Furthermore, in other embodiments, it will beappreciated that the first inlet 302 and/or the first outlet 312 mayalternatively be disposed both in a top header 304, both in a bottomheader 308, or in opposing top and bottom headers 304, 308.

The heat exchanger 300 also comprises a second fluid circuit 313 havinga second inlet 314, a plurality of left headers 316, a plurality ofrightward tubes 318, a plurality of right headers 320, a plurality ofleftward tubes 322, and a second outlet 324. The rightward tubes 318 andthe leftward tubes 322 may be oriented substantially perpendicular tothe downward tubes 306 and the upward tubes 310 of the first fluidcircuit 301. The second inlet 314 is connected in fluid communicationwith a first left header 316′ and is configured to receive a fluid therethrough and allow the fluid to enter the first left header 316′. Thefirst left header 316′ is connected in fluid communication with a firstset of rightward tubes 318, which is connected in fluid communicationwith a right header 320. Fluid from the first left header 316′ may flowthrough the first set of rightward tubes 318 into a right header 320.The right header 320 may also be connected in fluid communication with aset of leftward tubes 322 that may carry fluid from the right header 320through the leftward tubes 322 and into another left header 316.Accordingly, this pattern may continue along the length of the heatexchanger 300, such that each left header 316 transfers fluid through aset of rightward tubes 318 into a right header 320 and subsequently fromthe right header 320 through a set of leftward tubes 322 into anadjacently downstream located left header 316.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that rightward tubes 318 may beassociated with carrying a fluid from a left header 316 in a rightwarddirection towards and into a right header 320, and leftward tubes 322may be associated with carrying a fluid from a right header 320 in aleftward direction towards and into a left header 316. This pattern maycontinue along the length of the heat exchanger 300 until a last set ofrightward tubes 318 carries fluid through into a final right header 320′and out of the second outlet 324. Accordingly, the second fluid circuit313 comprises passing fluid from the second inlet 314 into the firstleft header 316′ through a repetitive serpentine series of a set ofrightward tubes 318, a right header 320, a set of leftward tubes 322,and a left header 316 until passing through a final set of rightwardtubes 318 into the final right header 320′ and exiting the heatexchanger 300 through the second outlet 324. Furthermore, in otherembodiments, it will be appreciated that the second inlet 314 and/or thesecond outlet 324 may alternatively be disposed both in a left header316, both in a right header 320, or in opposing left and right headers316, 320. Additionally, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments,the heat exchanger 300 may comprise only one of the first fluid circuit301 and the second fluid circuit 313.

First Fluid circuit 301 and the second fluid circuit 313 may comprisedifferent lengths. Accordingly, the first inlet 302 and/or the firstoutlet 312 may be disposed in any of the top headers 304 or bottomheaders 308, and the second inlet 314 and/or the second outlet 324 maybe disposed in any of the left headers 316 and the right headers 320 tovary the length of the fluid circuits 301, 313, respectively. Byaltering the length of the fluid circuits 301, 313, the heat exchanger300 may be configured to maintain a temperature gradient, reduce apressure drop, and/or otherwise control the temperature and/or pressureof the fluid though each of the fluid circuits 301, 313.

The tubes 306, 310, 318, 322 of the heat exchanger 300 may generally bearranged to provide a compact, highly resistive flowpath through thefluid duct 328. In order to effectively and/or evenly distribute theheat produced by a coupled burner assembly (which may comprise burnerassembly 100 or burner assembly 200, each previously described above)through the tubes 306, 310, 318, 322, sets and/or rows of tubes 306, 310may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with sets and/or rowsof tubes 318, 322. In the shown embodiment, two rows of downward tubes306, two rows of rightward tubes 318, two rows of upward tubes 310, andtwo rows of leftward tubes 322 are interstitially and/or alternativelyspaced, respectively, along the length of the heat exchanger 300.However, in alternative embodiments, a single row of tubes 306, 310,318, 322 may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced,respectively, along the length of the heat exchanger 300. In otherembodiments, however, heat exchanger 300 may comprise any number of rowsof tubes 306, 310, 318, 322 interstitially and/or alternatively spacedalong the length of the heat exchanger 300. For example, heat exchanger300 may comprise three rows of downward tubes 306, two rows of rightwardtubes 318, three rows of upward tubes 310, and two rows of leftwardtubes 322 may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the number of rows of tubes306, 310, 318, 322 interstitially and/or alternatively spaced may vary,so long as at least one row of vertically-oriented tubes 306, 310 isdisposed adjacently with at least one row of horizontally-oriented tubes318, 322 along the length of the heat exchanger 300.

Heat exchanger 300 also comprises a plurality of mounting holes 326disposed through a mounting flange 327 that is disposed at the distalend of the heat exchanger 300 located closest to the first inlet 302 andthe second inlet 314. The mounting holes 326 may generally be configuredto mount the heat exchanger 300 to a burner assembly (e.g., either theburner assembly 100 of FIGS. 1-5 or the burner assembly 200 of FIGS.6-10). In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 300 may be secured to aburner assembly via fasteners such as bolts, rivets, etc. (e.g.,fasteners 124). However, in other embodiments, the heat exchanger 300may be secured to a burner assembly through an alternative mechanicalinterface (e.g., plate, adapter, etc.). While mounting flange 327 isshown as having a rectangular (or square) shape, it should beappreciated that flange 327 may be differently shaped or formed (e.g.,flange 327 may be circular or curved in shape) to accommodate theconnection between the chosen burner assembly (e.g., burner assembly100, 200) and heat exchanger 300. The heat exchanger 300 is secured tothe chosen burner assembly so that combusted fuel and/or combustedair/fuel mixture is forced through a plurality of inner walls of theheat exchanger 300 that form a fluid duct 328 through the heat exchanger300. Accordingly, heat from the combusted fuel and/or the combustedair/fuel mixture may be absorbed by a fluid flowing through the tubes306, 310, 318, 322 of the heat exchanger 300. The heated fluid may exitthe heat exchanger 300 through the first outlet 312 and the secondoutlet 324 of the first fluid circuit 301 and the second fluid circuit313, respectively, and therefore be used to heat and/or cook consumableproducts (i.e., chips, crackers, frozen foods).

In operation, the configuration of tubes 306, 310, 318, 322 provides acompact, highly resistive flow path through the fluid duct 328.Accordingly, to force combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixturethrough the fluid duct 328 requires high velocity. Accordingly, thevelocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixturethrough the high velocity burners (or sub-burners) of the chosen burnerassembly (e.g., first burners 126 of the burner assembly 100; firstsub-burners 240 of burner assembly 200, etc.) is high enough to providethe requisite velocity needed to overcome the resistance to flow throughthe heat exchanger 300. Furthermore, the lower velocity of the combustedfuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture through the low velocityburners of the chosen burner assembly (e.g., second sub-burners 127 orsecond burners 138 of the burner assembly 100; second sub-burners 241 ofburner assembly 200, etc.) prevents “lift off” so that the combustionprocess remains constant through the burner assembly (i.e., burnerassembly 100 or 200).

Referring now to FIG. 14, a schematic of a cooking system 400 is shownaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system 400generally comprises at least one burner assembly 100, at least one heatexchanger 300, at least one cooking vessel 402 (e.g., a fryer), at leastone oil input line 403, and at least one oil output line 404. In thisembodiment, cooking system 400 utilizes burner assembly 100; however, itshould be appreciated that cooking system 400 may alternatively oradditionally include burner assembly 200 as described in more detailbelow. As previously disclosed, the burner assembly 100 may be mountedto at least one heat exchanger 300. However, in this embodiment, theburner assembly 100 may be mounted to a plurality of heat exchangers300. Furthermore, while not shown, in some embodiments, multiple burnerassemblies 100 may be mounted to multiple heat exchangers 300 in thecooking system 400. The burner assembly 100 is configured to provide ahigh velocity flow of combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixturethrough the fluid duct 328 of the heat exchangers 300.

Fluid, such as a cooking fluid (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be pumpedinto the first inlet 302 and/or the second inlet 314 of the heatexchangers 300 (see FIGS. 11-13) through a plurality of oil input lines303, each oil input line 303 being associated with a respective inlet302, 314. Fluid may enter the oil input lines 403 from a reservoirand/or may be circulated through the heat exchangers 300 from thecooking vessel 402. The fluid may be pumped and/or passed through thetubes 306, 310, 318, 322 of the heat exchangers 300 (see FIGS. 11-13).Heat produced from the combustion of fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture inthe burner assembly 100 may be transferred to the fluid flowing throughthe tubes 306, 310, 318, 322 of the heat exchangers 300 (see FIGS.11-13). The heated fluid may exit the heat exchanger 300 through thefirst outlet 312 and the second outlet 324 and be carried into thecooking vessel 402 through a plurality of oil output lines 404, each oiloutput line 404 being associated with a respective outlet 312, 324. Insome embodiments, the heated fluid may be carried into the cookingvessel 402 at different locations to maintain a proper temperature,temperature gradient, and/or temperature profile within the cookingvessel 402. As stated, in some embodiments, fluid from the cookingvessel 402 may be recirculated through the oil input lines 403 andreheated within the heat exchangers 300. Furthermore, it will beappreciated while burner assembly 100 is disclosed in the context offood service equipment (e.g., fryer, boiler), the burner assembly 100may be used for any application or industry that requires a fluid to beheated rapidly, consistently, and efficiently.

Additionally, as previously mentioned above, in some embodiments burnerassembly 200 may be used in place of burner assembly 100 within cookingsystem 400. In these embodiments, fuel and/or air/fuel mixture is forcedthrough burner assembly 200 from upstream end 200 a to downstream end200 b (i.e., through cavity 202 and burners 220) so that the fuel (ormixture) combusts within combustion chambers 226 and is emitted throughfluid duct 328 of heat exchangers 300 in the same manner as describedabove for burner assembly 100 (see FIGS. 6, 7, 10, and 11-14).

Referring now to FIG. 15, a schematic of a cooking system 450 is shownaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system 450may be substantially similar to cooking system 400 of FIG. 14. However,cooking system 450 comprises a plurality of burner assemblies 475 (whichmay each comprise burner assembly 100, burner assembly 200, or acombination of burner assembles 100, 200), a plurality of heatexchangers 300, at least one cooking vessel 402 (i.e., a fryer), atleast one oil input line 403 per heat exchanger 300, and at least oneoil output line 404 per heat exchanger 300. As previously disclosed,each burner assembly 475 may be associated with at least one heatexchanger 300. However, in this embodiment, each burner assembly 475 maybe mounted to a single heat exchanger 300. Each burner assembly 475 isconfigured to provide a high velocity flow of combusted fuel and/orcombusted air/fuel mixture through the fluid duct 328 of the associatedheat exchanger 300 (see FIGS. 11-13).

Fluid, such as a cooking fluid (e.g., oil) may be pumped into the firstinlet 302 and/or the second inlet 314 of the heat exchanger 300 througha plurality of oil input lines 403, each oil input line 403 beingassociated with a respective inlet 302, 314 (see FIGS. 11-13). Fluid mayenter the oil input lines 403 from a reservoir and/or may be circulatedthrough the heat exchangers 300 from the cooking vessel 402. The fluidmay be pumped and/or passed through the tubes 306, 310, 318, 322 of theheat exchanger 300 (see FIGS. 11-13). Heat produced from the combustionof fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture in the burner assemblies 475 may betransferred to the fluid flowing through the tubes 306, 310, 318, 322 ofeach respective heat exchanger 300 (see FIGS. 11-13). The heated fluidmay exit the heat exchangers 300 through the first outlet 312 and thesecond outlet 324 of each heat exchanger 300 and be carried into thecooking vessel 402 through a plurality of oil output lines 404, each oiloutput line 404 being associated with a respective outlet 312, 324.

In some embodiments, the heated fluid may be carried into the cookingvessel 402 at different locations to maintain a proper temperature,temperature gradient, and/or temperature profile within the cookingvessel 402. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that each burnerassembly 475 may be individually controlled by a burner controller (notpictured). As such, in some embodiments, each burner assembly 475 may beoperated at substantially similar temperatures. However, in otherembodiments, each burner assembly 475 may be operated at differenttemperatures to maintain a temperature gradient across the cookingvessel 402 and/or to control a cooking process requiring differenttemperatures. Still further, while multiple burner assemblies 475 andmultiple heat exchangers 300 are pictured, in some embodiments, a singleburner assembly 475 may be associated with a single heat exchanger 300to provide heated fluid to the cooking vessel 402. As stated, in someembodiments, fluid from the cooking vessel 402 may be recirculatedthrough the oil input lines 403 and reheated within the heat exchangers300. Furthermore, it will be appreciated while burner assembly 475 isdisclosed in the context of food service equipment (e.g., fryer,boiler), the burner assembly 475 may be used for any application orindustry that requires a fluid to be heated rapidly, consistently, andefficiently.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, an oblique side view and an obliquecross-sectional side view of a heat exchanger 500 are shown,respectively, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The heatexchanger 500 generally comprises a top wall 504, a bottom wall 506, aleft side wall 508, and a right side wall 510 that define a fluid duct522 having an inlet 502 and an outlet 512 through the heat exchanger500. Heat exchanger 500 also comprises a plurality of vertical tubes 514that extend between the top wall 504 and the bottom wall 506. Theplurality of vertical tubes 514 may extend through the top wall 504 andthe bottom wall 506 to allow ingress and egress of fluid into thevertical tubes 514 through each of the top wall 504 and bottom wall 506.Additionally, heat exchanger 500 also comprises a plurality ofhorizontal tubes 516 that extend between the left side wall 508 and theright side wall 510. The plurality of horizontal tubes 516 may extendthrough the left side wall 508 and the right side wall 510 to allowingress and egress of fluid into the horizontal tubes 516 through eachof the left side wall 508 and the right side wall 510.

The vertical tubes 514 and the horizontal tubes 516 of the heatexchanger 500 may generally be arranged to provide a compact, highlyresistive flow path through the fluid duct 522. In order to effectivelyand/or evenly distribute the heat produced by a burner assembly (e.g.,burner assembly 100 or 200) through the vertical tubes 514 and thehorizontal tubes 516, sets and/or rows of vertical tubes 514 may beinterstitially and/or alternatively spaced with sets and/or rows ofhorizontal tubes 516. In the shown embodiment, two rows of verticaltubes 514 are interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with two rowsof horizontal tubes 516 along the length of the heat exchanger 500.However, in alternative embodiments, a single row of vertical tubes 514may be interstitially and/or alternatively spaced with a single row ofhorizontal tubes 516 along the length of the heat exchanger 500. Inother embodiments, however, heat exchanger 500 may comprise any numberof rows of vertical tubes 514 interstitially and/or alternatively spacedwith any number of rows of horizontal tubes 516 along the length of theheat exchanger 500. For example, heat exchanger 500 may comprise threerows of vertical tubes 514 interstitially and/or alternatively spacedwith two rows of horizontal tubes 516. Accordingly, it will beappreciated that the number of rows or vertical tubes 514 interstitiallyand/or alternatively spaced with rows of horizontal tubes 516 may vary,so long as at least one row of vertical tubes 514 is interstitiallyand/or alternatively spaced with at least one row of horizontal tubes516 along the length of the heat exchanger 500.

The heat exchanger 500 also comprises a plurality of mounting holes 518disposed through a mounting flange 520 that is disposed at the distalend of the heat exchanger 500 located closest to the inlet 502. Themounting holes 518 may generally be configured to mount the heatexchanger 500 to a burner assembly (e.g., either the burner assembly 100of FIGS. 1-5 or the burner assembly 200 of FIGS. 6-10). In someembodiments, the heat exchanger 500 may be secured to a burner assemblyvia fasteners such as bolts, rivets, etc. (e.g., fasteners 124).However, in other embodiments, the heat exchanger 500 may be secured toa burner assembly through an alternative mechanical interface (e.g.,plate, adapter, etc.). While mounting flange 520 is shown as having arectangular (or square) shape, it should be appreciated that flange 520may be differently shaped or formed (e.g., flange 520 may be circular orcurved in shape) to accommodate the connection between the chosen burnerassembly (e.g., burner assembly 100, 200) and heat exchanger 500. Theheat exchanger 500 is secured to the chosen burner assembly so thatcombusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture is forced through thefluid duct 522 of the heat exchanger 500. Accordingly, heat from thecombusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture may be absorbed by afluid flowing through the tubes 514, 516 of the heat exchanger 500. Theheated fluid may exit heat exchanger 500 through the tubes 514, 516 andtherefore be used to heat and/or cook consumable products (i.e., chips,crackers, frozen foods).

In operation, the configuration of tubes 514, 516 provides a compact,highly resistive flow path through the fluid duct 522. Accordingly, toforce combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the fluidduct 522 requires high velocity. Accordingly, the velocity of thecombusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuel mixture through the highvelocity burners of the burner assembly (e.g., first burners 126 of theburner assembly 100; first sub-burners 240 of burner assembly 200, etc.)is high enough to provide the requisite velocity needed to overcome theresistance to flow through the heat exchanger 500. Furthermore, thelower velocity of the combusted fuel and/or the combusted air/fuelmixture through the low velocity burners of the burner assembly (e.g.,second sub-burners 127 or second burners 138 of the burner assembly 100;the second sub-burners 241 of burner assembly 200, etc.) prevents “liftoff” so that the combustion process remains constant through the burnerassembly (i.e., burner assembly 100 or 200).

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, a schematic top view and a schematicside view of a cooking system 600 are shown, respectively, according toan embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system 600 generally comprisesat least one burner assembly 100, at least one heat exchanger 500, andat least one cooking vessel 602 (e.g., a fryer). In this embodiment,cooking system 600 utilizes burner assembly 100; however, it should beappreciated that cooking system 600 may alternatively or additionallyinclude burner assembly 200 as described in more detail below. Aspreviously disclosed, the burner assembly 100 may be mounted to at leastone heat exchanger 500. However, in this embodiment, the burner assembly100 may be mounted to a plurality of heat exchangers 500. Furthermore,while not shown, in some embodiments, multiple burner assemblies 100 maybe mounted to multiple heat exchangers 500 in the cooking system 600.The burner assembly 100 is configured to provide a high velocity flow ofcombusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuel mixture through the fluid duct522 of the heat exchanger 500 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). The heat exchangers500 may generally be submerged in the cooking vessel 602.

Fluid, such as a cooking fluid (e.g., oil) contained within the cookingvessel 602, may be free to flow through the vertical tubes 514 andhorizontal tubes 516 of the heat exchanger 500 (see FIGS. 16 and 17).Heat produced from the combustion of fuel and/or an air/fuel mixture inthe burner assembly 100 may enter the inlet 502 of the heat exchanger500 from the burner assembly 100 and be transferred to the fluid flowingthrough and/or contained within the tubes 514, 516 of the heat exchanger500. Accordingly, in embodiments comprising multiple heat exchangers500, the heat exchangers 500 may be disposed throughout the cookingvessel 602 at substantially similar intervals and/or uniformly spaced tomaintain a substantially uniform temperature within the cooking vessel602. However, in other embodiments comprising multiple heat exchangers500, the heat exchangers 500 may be disposed to maintain a temperaturegradient and/or temperature profile within the cooking vessel 602. Theheated fluid may flow through and exit the tubes 514, 516 of heatexchanger 500 back into cooking vessel 602. In some embodiments, theoutlet 512 of duct 522 (which carries combusted fluids from burnerassembly 100) may extend through the cooking vessel 602 and bedischarged to an outside environment through a collective exhaust header(not shown) and/or any other ductwork to expel the combusted gases. Insome embodiments, fluid from the cooking vessel 602 may be circulatedwithin the cooking vessel 602 by a pump (not shown) to increase and/orpromote fluid flow through the tubes 514, 516 of the heat exchanger 500.Furthermore, it will be appreciated while burner assembly 100 isdisclosed in the context of food service equipment (e.g., cookingvessel, fryer, boiler), the burner assembly 100 may be used for anyapplication or industry that requires a fluid to be heated rapidly,consistently, and efficiently.

Additionally, as previously mentioned above, in some embodiments burnerassembly 200 may be used in place of burner assembly 100 within cookingsystem 600. In these embodiments, fuel and/or air/fuel mixture is forcedthrough burner assembly 200 from upstream end 200 a to downstream end200 b (i.e., through cavity 202 and burners 220) so that the fuel (ormixture) combusts within combustion chambers 226 and is emitted throughfluid duct 522 of heat exchangers 500 in the same manner as describedabove for burner assembly 100 (see FIGS. 6, 7, 10, and 11-14).

Referring now to FIG. 20, a schematic top view of a cooking system 650is shown according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Cookingsystem 650 may be substantially similar to cooking system 600 of FIGS.18 and 19. However, in this embodiment, cooking system 650 comprises aplurality of burner assemblies 675, wherein each burner assembly 675 maybe mounted to a single heat exchanger 500. As is similarly describedabove for burner assemblies 475 in FIG. 15, burner assemblies 675 mayeach comprise burner assembly 100, burner assembly 200, or a combinationof burner assemblies 100, 200. The burner assembly 675 is configured toprovide a high velocity flow of combusted fuel and/or combusted air/fuelmixture through the fluid duct 522 of the heat exchanger 500 (see FIGS.16 and 17). The heat exchangers 500 may generally be submerged in thecooking vessel 602. Fluid, such as a cooking fluid (e.g., oil) containedwithin the cooking vessel 602, may be free to flow through the verticaltubes 514 and horizontal tubes 516 of the heat exchanger 500 (see FIGS.16 and 17). Heat produced from the combustion of fuel and/or an air/fuelmixture in the burner assembly 675 may enter the inlet 502 of each heatexchanger 500 from the burner assembly 675 and be transferred to thefluid flowing through and/or contained within the tubes 514, 516 of theheat exchanger 500. Additionally, heat may be transferred to the fluidwithin the cooking vessel 602 that contacts any outer surface of theheat exchangers 500.

In this embodiment, the heat exchangers 500 may generally be disposedthroughout the cooking vessel 602 at substantially similar intervalsand/or uniformly spaced to maintain a substantially uniform temperaturewithin the cooking vessel 602. However, in other embodiments, the heatexchangers 500 may be disposed at any other interval and/or spacingbased on a desired temperature profile across the cooking vessel 602and/or the configuration of the cooking vessel 602. Thus, in someembodiments, the burner assemblies 675 and heat exchangers 500 aredisposed to maintain a temperature gradient and/or temperature profilewithin the cooking vessel 602. In addition, to accomplish control of theburner assemblies 675, each burner assembly 675 may be controlled by aburner assembly controller 604. As such, the burner assembly controller604 may control each burner assembly 675 to a specified amount of heatin order to maintain a temperature gradient and/or temperature profileof the fluid within the cooking vessel 602. However, in otherembodiments, the burner assemblies 675 may be controlled to provide asubstantially similar amount of heat to maintain a substantially similartemperature of the fluid throughout the cooking vessel 602. In suchembodiments, multiple burner assemblies 675 may, at least in someinstances, be controlled by a single burner assembly controller 604. Theheated fluid may flow through and exit the tubes 514, 516 of heatexchanger 500 back into cooking vessel 602. In some embodiments, theoutlet 512 of duct 522 (which carries combusted fluids from burnerassembly 100) may extend through the cooking vessel 602 and bedischarged to an outside environment through a collective exhaust header(not shown) and/or any other ductwork to expel the combusted gases. Insome embodiments, fluid may be circulated within the cooking vessel 602by a pump (not shown) to increase and/or promote fluid flow through thetubes 514, 516 of the heat exchanger 500. Furthermore, it will beappreciated while burner assembly 675 is disclosed in the context offood service equipment (i.e., cooking vessel, fryer, boiler), the burnerassembly 675 may be used for any application or industry that requires afluid to be heated rapidly, consistently, and efficiently.

Referring now to FIG. 21, a schematic view of a cooking system 700 isshown according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Cooking system700 generally includes a reservoir 702, a first heat exchanger 706, aplurality of second heat exchangers 708 a, 708 b, a cooking vessel 712,and a thermal oxidizer 740. In addition, cooking system 700 includes acooking fluid circuit comprising conduits 730, 732, 734, 736, 738, anexhaust system comprising conduits 724, 726, and a fuel systemcomprising conduits 722 and header 720. Each of the conduits 730, 732,734, 736, 738, 724, 726, 722 may comprise any suitable fluid conveyancemember capable of channeling fluids there through. For example, conduits730, 732, 734, 736, 738, 724, 726, 722 may comprise pipes, hoses, openchannels, or other fluid conveyances.

Cooking vessel 712 may comprise any suitable vessel or tub forcontaining a cooking fluid 704 (e.g., oil, water, etc.) at a hightemperature. For example, cooking vessel 712 may be similar to cookingvessels 402, 602 previously described above (see FIGS. 14, 15, and18-20). Reservoir 702 may comprise a tank or vessel (or collection ofvessels) that is configured to hold or store the cooking fluid 704 foruse within cooking system 700.

Heat exchangers 706, 708 a, 708 b may comprise any suitable device fortransferring heat between two fluids (e.g., such as heat exchangers 300,500, previously described). In this embodiment, each of the heatexchangers 706, 708 a, 708 b is the same (or similar to) heat exchanger300 of FIGS. 11-13. As will be described in more detail below, heatexchangers 706, 708 a, 708 b are utilized within cooking system 700 totransfer heat to cooking fluid 704 so that cooking fluid 704 is at asufficient temperature to carry out the desired cooking reaction (e.g.,frying) within cooking vessel 712. Each of the heat exchangers 708 a,708 b include a burner assembly 716 that may comprise burner assembly100 or burner assembly 200 previously described above (it should beappreciated that heat exchangers 708 a, 708 b may share a single burnerassembly 716 in other embodiments). In this embodiment, burnerassemblies 716 each comprise the burner assembly 200 previouslydescribed above (see FIGS. 6-10). As with cooking systems 400, 600,burner assemblies 716 are used to combust fuel (e.g., natural gas) toprovide heat to the cooking fluid 704 as it flows through heatexchangers 708 a, 708 b. In addition, as will be described in moredetail below, in this embodiment heat exchanger 706 does not include aburner assembly 716 and instead utilizes heat from thermal oxidizer 740(described below) to increase the temperature of cooking fluid 704flowing therein.

Referring now to FIG. 22, a schematic side cross-sectional view ofthermal oxidizer 740 is shown. Thermal oxidizer 740 is a vesselcomprising a first or upstream end 740 a, a second or downstream end 740b opposite upstream end 740 a, and an internal chamber 742. An inlet 744into internal chamber 742 is disposed at upstream end 740 a, and anoutlet 746 from internal chamber 742 is disposed proximate downstreamend 740 b. A plurality of burner assemblies 716 are disposed at upstreamend 740 a and extend into chamber 742. In this embodiment, the burnerassemblies 716 on thermal oxidizer 740 are evenly circumferentiallydisposed about inlet 744 (or a central axis of inlet 744). The burnerassemblies 716 on thermal oxidizer 740 may comprise burner assembly 100or burner assembly 200 previously described above. In this embodiment,each of the burner assemblies 716 on thermal oxidizer 740 comprise theburner assembly 200 of FIGS. 6-10. Fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane,etc.) is provided to burner assemblies 716 from fuel header 720 (whichis shown in FIG. 21) via a plurality of fuel supply conduits 722. Fuelheader 720 may comprise a supply pipe (or other conduit) or tank thatprovides a flow of fuel to conduits 722. In some embodiments, fuelheader 720 is a main supply pipe of natural gas provided from a localutility service.

A manifold 748 is coupled to thermal oxidizer 740 at upstream end 740 a.In this embodiment, manifold 748 is an annular chamber that surroundsoxidizer 740 at upstream end 740 a. A supply line 747 provides air (oroxygen) to manifold 748, which is then supplied to fuel supply conduits722 upstream of burner assemblies 716. As a result, an air/fuel mixtureis supplied to burner assemblies 716 via conduits 722, 749 duringoperations. Upon entering the burner assemblies 716, the air/fuelmixture is combusted in the manner described above for burner assemblies100, 200 (depending on whether burner assembly 100 or 200 is used) suchthat hot combusted fluids are emitted into thermal oxidizer 740 atupstream end 740 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, during operations, a food item (e.g.,chips, crackers, frozen foods, etc.) may be placed into cooking vessel712 to perform a cooking operation (e.g., frying, boiling, etc.). Tofacilitate the cooking operation, hot cooking fluid 704 is flowed intocooking vessel 712 via conduits 734, 736. Subsequently, the cookingfluid 704 exits cooking vessel 712 via conduit 738 and flows to heatexchanger 706. In addition, cooking fluid 704 may be flowed to heatexchanger 706 from reservoir 704 via conduit 730 as shown in FIG. 21. Asa result of the interaction between the hot cooking fluid 704 and thefood item within vessel 712, hot exhaust gases are emitted from vessel712 that are captured by vent hood 714 and transferred to inlet 744 ofthermal oxidizer 740 via conduit 724 (a blower or other suitablecompressing or pumping assembly may be included along conduit 724 tofacilitate the flow of fluids from vessel 712 into chamber 742 ofthermal oxidizer 740). Upon entering internal chamber 742, the exhaustfluids from cooking vessel 712 are heated by the hot combusted gasesalso emitted into chamber 742 by burner assemblies 716. In someembodiments, at least some of the exhaust fluids entering chamber 742 atinlet 744 are also ignited by the combustion within burner assemblies716. The heated gases are flowed through chamber 742 from upstream end740 a to downstream end 740 b where they are emitted from chamber 742 atoutlet 746 and communicated to heat exchanger 706 via conduit 726.

Within heat exchanger 706, heat is transferred from the exhaust fluidsentering exchanger 706 via conduit 726 to the cooking fluid 704 enteringheat exchanger 706 via conduits 730, 738. As previously described, inthis embodiment, heat exchanger 706 (as well as heat exchangers 708 a,708 b) is configured the same as heat exchanger 300 previously describedabove. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the hot fluids emitted fromoutlet 746 of thermal oxidizer 740 flow through duct 328 of exchanger706, while the cooking fluid 704 flows through the tubes 306, 310, 318,322 (see FIGS. 11-13). As a result, the temperature of cooking fluid 704is increased as it flows within exchanger 706, and the hot exhaustfluids from thermal oxidizer 740 are eventually emitted from duct 328either into the atmosphere or to another tank, vessel, or process.

Referring now to FIG. 21, upon exiting exchanger 706, the heated cookingfluid 704 then flows in parallel to each of the heat exchangers 708 a,708 b, via conduits 732. Fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane, etc.) isprovided to burner assemblies 716 within heat exchangers via conduits722 and is combusted therein in the same manner described above forburner assemblies 100, 200 (depending on whether burner assembly 100 or200 is used) to provide hot combusted fluids (e.g., gases) that areflowed through heat exchangers 708 a, 708 b to further increase thetemperature of cooking fluid 704 also flowing there through. Inparticular, the hot combusted fluids from burner assemblies 716 areflowed through ducts 328 of heat exchanger 708 a, 708 b, while theheated cooking fluid 704 is flowed through tubes 306, 310, 318, 322 ofheat exchangers 708 a, 708 b (see FIGS. 11-13). As a result, additionalheat is transferred to the cooking fluid 704 from the combusted fluidsemitted from burner assemblies 716 within heat exchangers 708 a, 708 bsuch that the cooking fluid 704 is eventually emitted from heatexchangers via conduits 734, 736 at a final cooking temperature.Conduits 734, 736 thereafter provide this heated cooking fluid 704 tovessel 712 to perform the cooking operation as previously described. Insome embodiments, air or oxygen may be mixed with the fuel flowing toburner assemblies 716 within exchangers 708 a, 708 b to facilitate thecombustion of the fuel therein.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example,whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R_(l), and an upperlimit, R_(u), is disclosed, any number falling within the range isspecifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within therange are specifically disclosed: R=R_(l)+k*(R_(u)−R_(l)), wherein k isa variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percentincrement, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5percent, . . . , 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent,96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Unlessotherwise stated, the term “about” shall mean plus or minus 10 percentof the subsequent value. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two Rnumbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use ofthe term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means thatthe element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required,both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broaderterms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood toprovide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consistingessentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scopeof protection is not limited by the description set out above but isdefined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalentsof the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim isincorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claimsare embodiment(s) of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A burner assembly, comprising: a body thatdefines a first cavity; a burner coupled to the body that is configuredto combust an air/fuel mixture, wherein the burner has a central axisand comprises: a first sub-burner in fluid communication with the firstcavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a firstflowrate; and a second sub-burner in fluid communication with the firstcavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a secondflowrate; wherein the second flowrate is lower than the first flowrate;and an igniter configured to ignite the air/fuel mixture in each of thefirst sub-burner and the second sub-burner.
 2. The burner assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the second sub-burner is circumferentially disposedabout the first sub-burner with respect to the central axis.
 3. Theburner assembly of claim 1, wherein the burner further comprises acombustion chamber in fluid communication with each of the firstsub-burner and the second sub-burner.
 4. The burner assembly of claim 3,wherein the first sub-burner comprises a plurality of axially extendingfirst bores in fluid communication with each of the first cavity and thecombustion chamber, and wherein the second sub-burner comprises aplurality of radially extending second bores in fluid communication witheach of the first cavity and the combustion chamber.
 5. The burnerassembly of claim 4, wherein the body further comprises: an upstreamend; and a downstream end; wherein the first cavity extends from theupstream end, and the burner extends from the first cavity to thedownstream end.
 6. The burner assembly of claim 5, wherein the burnercomprises: a burner bore extending through the body from the downstreamend to the first cavity; and an insert disposed within the burner bore,wherein the insert comprises each of the plurality of first bores andthe plurality of second bores.
 7. The burner assembly of claim 6,wherein the combustion chamber is defined by the burner bore, betweenthe insert and the downstream end.
 8. The burner assembly of claim 7,wherein the insert also comprises a second cavity that is in fluidcommunication with each of the plurality of first bores, the pluralityof second bores, and the first cavity; and wherein each of the pluralityof first bores has a smaller diameter than the second cavity.
 9. Aburner assembly, comprising: a body that defines a first cavity; aplurality of burners coupled to the body, each burner being configuredto combust an air/fuel mixture, wherein each burner has a central axisand comprises: a first sub-burner in fluid communication with the firstcavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a firstflowrate; and a second sub-burner in fluid communication with the firstcavity that is configured to combust the air/fuel mixture at a secondflowrate; wherein the second flowrate is lower than the first flowrate;and an igniter configured to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the firstsub-burner and the second sub-burner in each of the plurality ofburners.
 10. The burner assembly of claim 9, wherein each burner furthercomprises a combustion chamber in communication with each of the firstsub-burner and the second sub-burner.
 11. The burner assembly of claim10, further comprising a plurality of slots, wherein the combustionchamber of each of the burners is in fluid communication with thecombustion chambers of each of the other burners through the pluralityof slots.
 12. The burner assembly of claim 11, wherein the central axisof each of the plurality of burners is parallel to the central axis ofeach of the other burners, and wherein each of the slots extend radiallywith respect to the central axis of at least one of the burners.
 13. Theburner assembly of claim 9, wherein for each burner, the secondsub-burner is circumferentially disposed about the first sub-burner withrespect to the central axis.
 14. The burner assembly of claim 13,wherein the first sub-burner comprises a plurality of axially extendingfirst bores in fluid communication with the first cavity; and whereinthe second sub-burner of each burner comprises a plurality of radiallyextending second bores in communication with the first cavity.
 15. Theburner assembly of claim 14, wherein the body further comprises: anupstream end; and a downstream end; wherein the first cavity extendsfrom the upstream end, and each of the plurality of burners extends fromthe first cavity to the downstream end.
 16. The burner assembly of claim15, wherein each of the plurality of burners comprises: a burner boreextending through the body from the downstream end to the first cavity;and an insert disposed within the burner bore, wherein the insertcomprises each of the plurality of first bores and the plurality ofsecond bores, and a second cavity; wherein the second cavity is in fluidcommunication with the plurality of first bores, the plurality of secondbores, and the first cavity; and wherein each of the plurality of firstbores has a smaller diameter than the second cavity.
 17. A cookingsystem, comprising: a first burner assembly comprising a body and aburner coupled to the body, the burner having a central axis and beingconfigured to combust a first air/fuel mixture, wherein the burnerfurther comprises: a first sub-burner in fluid communication with afirst cavity defined by the body and configured to combust the firstair/fuel mixture at a first flowrate; and a second sub-burner in fluidcommunication with the first cavity that is configured to combust thefirst air/fuel mixture at a second flowrate, the second flowrate beinglower than the first flowrate; and a first heat exchanger comprising afluid duct that is configured to receive the combusted air/fuel mixturefrom the first sub-burner and the second sub-burner.
 18. The cookingsystem of claim 17, further comprising: a cooking vessel configured toreceive a cooking fluid and a food item to perform a cooking reaction,wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to provide the cookingfluid to the cooking vessel; a thermal oxidizer fluidly coupled to thecooking vessel, wherein the thermal oxidizer is configured to receive anexhaust emitted from the cooking reaction; wherein the thermal oxidizercomprises a second burner assembly that is configured to combust asecond air/fuel mixture to increase a temperature of the exhaust;wherein the second burner assembly comprises: a second body and a secondburner coupled to the second body, the second burner having a centralaxis and being configured to combust a second air/fuel mixture, whereinthe second burner further comprises: a third sub-burner in fluidcommunication with a second cavity defined by the second body andconfigured to combust the second air/fuel mixture at a third flowrate;and a fourth sub-burner in fluid communication with the second cavitythat is configured to combust the second air/fuel mixture at a fourthflowrate, the fourth flowrate being lower than the first flowrate. 19.The cooking system of claim 18, further comprising a second heatexchanger comprising a fluid duct that is configured to receive theexhaust from the thermal oxidizer.
 20. The cooking system of claim 19,wherein the second heat exchanger is configured to increase thetemperature of the cooking fluid to a first temperature and emit thecooking fluid to the first heat exchanger; and wherein first heatexchanger is configured to increase the temperature of the cooking fluidfrom the first temperature to a second temperature.